Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers preview, Saturday 9/18, 6:15 CT

Saturday notes...

• YOU DID NOT EXPECT TO READ THIS NOTE: The Cubs have scored four or more runs in a season-high six straight games since September 11. That’s the first time they have done that since a six-game run, July 26 - August 1, 2020. If they can score at least four runs tonight, that would accomplish the feat in seven or more consecutive games for the first time since a seven-game stretch, August 2-8, 2019 (49 runs total).
• SCHWINDY CITY UPDATE: Frank Schwindel’s 1.103 OPS with the Cubs is the best mark among any player in their first 42 games with the franchise (since 1901), surpassing Bryan LaHair’s 1.100 OPS in his first 42 games with the team in 2012 and Hank Sauer’s 1.090 OPS in his first 42 games with the team in 1949. (H/T: Ed Hartig)
• MORE FRANK THE TANK: Schwindel in four games this week: .368/.400/.789 (7-for-19) with two doubles, two home runs and only one strikeout. Keep that up and another NL Player of the Week award could happen.
• HAPP-ENINGS: Ian Happ’s 11 home runs since August 13 are tied for second-most in the N.L. and tied for fourth-most in the majors, trailing only Salvador Pérez (16), Marcus Semien (13), Bobby Dalbec (12) and Bryce Harper (12).

Here are today’s particulars.

Cubs lineup:

The Brewers lineup was not available at posting time. Please check the BCB Twitter feed for the Brewers lineup.

Justin Steele, LHP vs. Corbin Burnes, RHP

USA TODAY Sports

USA TODAY NETWORK

Justin Steele’s first MLB start was against the Brewers August 10 in Wrigley Field. It wasn’t terrible — three runs in five innings, the only real mistakes home-run balls served up to Willy Adames and Avisail Garcia.

Since then — not so great. One excellent outing vs. the Twins, otherwise not so much.

Steele made two relief appearances vs. the Brewers back in April and allowed no runs in 2⅓ innings, but I don’t think that’s too relevant now.

Hopefully he can end the season on a high note.

Statcast

Oh, come now. Corbin Burnes threw eight no-hit innings against Cleveland last Saturday with 14 strikeouts, and you think the CUBS are going to hit him? Hahahahahahahaha....

Okay, seriously, no. Burnes has two starts vs. the Cubs this year and in 14 innings he’s allowed six hits, no walks and struck out 25. He has a 1.97 ERA and 0.900 WHIP over his last 13 starts. He’s a Cy Young Award candidate.

Let’s hope the Cubs get a hit in the first inning in order to silence any no-hit talk early.

Statcast

Today’s game is Fox-TV (regional — coverage map). Announcers: xxxx. A reminder that if you subscribe to MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings, you can watch this game via those services if it’s not on the Fox affiliate in your market.

Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Brewers site Brew Crew Ball. If you do go there to interact with Brewers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2021 Game Thread procedure will be a bit different than previous years. It will be similar to what we’ve used for Spring Training.

You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.

You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.

Discuss amongst yourselves.